Vassar College

Assistant Professor of Earth Science, Tenure Track

Department: Earth Science & Geography Department

Posting Removal Date:

Posting Number: F119P

For full consideration applicants should apply by: 09/15/2024



About Vassar College


Vassar is a highly selective, coeducational liberal arts college of about 2400 undergraduate students, located in the Hudson Valley, seventy-five miles north of New York City. Vassar stands upon the
homelands of the Munsee Lenape. The College is located in Poughkeepsie, home to a culturally diverse community, and benefits from convenient commuter rail access to New York City. Vassar faculty are committed teachers/scholars who bring research and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs, and studios and in individually-mentored projects. They teach broadly in the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on college-wide and departmental committees. The College maintains a generous leave policy, provides strong support for research, and encourages multidisciplinary approaches to teaching.

Position Introduction


The Department of Earth Science and Geography at Vassar College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mineralogy, Petrology, Volcanology, or Interior Earth Processes beginning August 2025.

AA Statement


Vassar College is deeply committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and the curriculum, and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion, and respect for difference. Candidates who can contribute to this goal through their teaching, research, advising, and other activities are encouraged to identify their strengths and experiences in this area. The College is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and especially welcomes applications from veterans, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of racial, ethnic, and other groups whose underrepresentation in the American professoriate has been severe and longstanding.

Position Description


The successful candidate will teach Earth materials, volcanology, geohazards, and upper-level courses of their choosing, and may be called upon to teach Earth History and geophysics. Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in Geology or Earth Science at the time of appointment.
The Earth Science program emphasizes surficial processes, geohazards, and environmental justice, and is active in the Environmental Studies program. The program has ~25 majors and graduates 4-8 students per year. Opportunities exist for co-teaching courses with members from any division of the college.
The successful candidate will have a dedicated research laboratory and office, a student research assistant, start-up funds, and access to shared departmental facilities and equipment, including rock crushing and thin sectioning equipment, an X-ray diffractometer, a scanning electron microscope with EDS, a seismometer, and a portable XRF. Development of a productive research program with student participation is expected.

Salary Wage Range


Pay Transparency Disclosure: The annual base starting salary range for this position is $92,000 to $102,000 (USD). This range includes new faculty appointments beginning the first year of a standard tenure clock as well as Assistant Professors with previous tenure-line experience who will be on an accelerated tenure clock. When extending an offer of employment, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) candidate’s education/training, work experience, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations. This salary range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting. The starting salary for an Assistant Professor in this position with a PhD beginning the first year of a standard tenure clock in Fall 2025 is $96,000.

How to Apply


Candidates should submit:
- A cover letter-C.V.-Graduate school transcript (unofficial copies accepted for initial application)-Three letters of reference- Statement of teaching experience and philosophy (maximum 2 pages)-Descriptions of three courses they would like to teach (maximum 200 words each—please upload to field “Other 1”)-Statement about their research and how they plan to continue it in a liberal arts setting (maximum 2 pages)- Diversity statement (for additional information please visit
https://offices.vassar.edu/dean-of-the-faculty/positions/candidate-diversity-statement/).
Applications should be addressed to Kirsten Menking, Chair of Earth Science, Department of Earth Science and Geography, Vassar College and submitted online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/3990. Address any questions to Dr. Kirsten Menking via kimenking@vassar.edu. Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2024. There is no guarantee that applications received after September 15, 2024 will be reviewed.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To Apply


All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/3990.

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